Tag Archives: DeMarco Murray

Aaron Rodgers earned his second NFL MVP award in 2014 despite a swell of support for J.J. Watt, who received the most votes for a defensive player since Lawrence Taylor won the award in 1986.

With the 2015 NFL season already right around the corner, here’s a look at how the AP voters determined last season’s MVP.

Aaron Rodgers (31 votes)

Tom Pelissero — “Any argument for Watt leans on his ability to keep the Texans in the hunt amidst their quarterback issues. But that’s the problem with voting for him over Rodgers or, in my opinion, several other quarterbacks this season. That position controls everything, and not even the best defensive player of a generation can supersede it. Watt seems to make two or three high-impact plays every game—which is incredible—but the QB has a chance to impact the game every play he’s on the field, both before and after the snap.”

Paul Domowitch — “One of the easier MVP decisions in recent years. His passing numbers and the impact he had on the success of his football team trumped my other considerations — DeMarco Murray and Tom Brady.”

Jenny Vrentas — “I felt like he was the player who made the greatest contribution toward getting his team wins.”

Peter King (0.5 vote) — “Quarterbacks inherently have more value than any position on the field, Rodgers clearly lifted Green Bay all season and particularly through some agony Sunday to win the division and clinch a playoff bye; this season rivals his previous MVP year in 2011 (14-1, 45 touchdowns, six interceptions). He didn’t throw an interception at home all season.”

J.J. Watt (13 votes)

John McClain — “If Rodgers had a record-breaking season like Manning in 2013, I would have voted for him. He was exceptional, of course, but he didn’t have a season for the ages, perhaps the greatest in history at his position. Watt did.”

Steve Cohen — “As I look at every starter in the NFL I see one player who stands alone as the dominant player at his position and that’s why J.J Watt gets my vote for MVP. He also had 32 points—for a defensive player! From his team-inspiring pre-game speeches to his lead by example play on the field for a rebuilding team and a first-year head coach, J.J Watt should be the first defensive player since Lawrence Taylor (1986) to win the league’s MVP.”

Ira Kaufman — “I thought he had a season for the ages and there’s no way the Texans were a 9-win team, based on the talent around Watt. Rodgers was outstanding, but Watt was a force from Week 1 and never let up, despite a minimal contribution from No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney.”

Peter King (0.5 vote) — “[Watt’s] 20.5 sacks come through more traffic than his pass-rushing peers, because 3-4 ends don’t have the same pass-rushing freedom that 3-4 outside ’backers do. I am bastardizing the word “value,” I understand. But I simply have to recognize one of the great and most unique years an NFL player has ever had, the way it should be.”

Ron Borges

I swear I only knew of one vote for Watt when I tweeted earlier today. #mine

DeMarco Murray (2 votes)

Rick Gosselin — “The commitment to the run and Murray’s legs were the difference between a Cowboys team that was 8-8 in 2013 and one that shared the NFL’s best record one year later.”

Clark Judge — “He single-handedly changed the personality of this team and lifted the pressure from Tony Romo. Result: Dallas wins a division. Who says running backs don’t matter?”

Tony Romo (2 votes)

Charean Williams — “Best season of any QB, the most important position in football. But it’s hard for me to argue against Watt. He was phenomenal. I would bet on Watt to become the third defensive player ever to win the MVP. He is that good.”

Bobby Wagner (1 vote)

For people questioning my MVP vote for Bobby Wagner–it's called most VALUABLE. He & Gronk were biggest difference makers on two best teams.